Art of color photography



May 13, 1941. E. B. HEsst-:R '2,241,402

ART 0F COLOR PHOTOGRABHY Filed Deo. 22, 1938 3 Sheets-She'ei'I 1 .GREY-BLACK vELLaw HE@ BLUE y/vEEAT/VE NEG/WWE /vEAr/VE NEGATIVE PAPER E] PEPE/ INV OR.

ATTORNEY.

May 13, 1941.

E. B. HEssER ,ART OF COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY Filed Dec. 22, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 SENS/T/ZE GREY- yELLow BLUE F/LM May 13, 1941. E. B. HESSER 2,241,402

` ART 0F coLoR PHOTOGRAPHY Filed Dec. 22, 1938 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 -W/-l/ TE BHC/UNG T/N TED YELLOW INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented May 13, 1941 i Edwin Bower Hesser,

West Hollywood, ,'Calif., as-

signor -to Naturalcolor Corporation, West Hollywood, Calif.,

a corporation of Illinois Application December 2.2, 1938, Serial No. 247,291

1s claims.

This invention relates to photography and has for its general object to provide a simple and inexpensive process products, particularly positive prints on paper in color from color-separation photographic negatives, the resultant lprints being'less exaggeratedy and artificial than the previously known color productions resulting in more natural prints, fast to light and of a brilliant, glossy finish especiallir suited to commercial printing reproduction.

This application is a continuation-impart of or method for making various my copending application Serial No. 741,033, filed s vprinting color, black, being added. The addition of the fourth color, black, in which it is to be understood areincluded its various gradations through shades of gray towards lwhite, has

marked advantages over three-color photography in adding depth of tone and perfection of definition. It is further to be understood, however, that various features of the invention may be utilized without the employment of the black printing, Iparticularly in three-color and twocolor printing, as hereinafter explained.

The prints resultingfrom the employment of the invention embody pure, unclouded whites and true blacks with accurate rendition of all other colors of the spectrum; They are clear p,ami sharply defined without artificial predominance of any particular color. Furthermore, in previous commercial color printing great difficulties have been encountered in production dueto the fragility of materials employed and the necessity of air-conditioning tol a fixed or limited tem-- perature with the further disadvantage of large consumption of time so that strictly laboratoryI vconditions with refrigerated air were needed for the best results. By the present invention a complete color print can be madefrom a set of previously prepared'negatives in less than half an hour with no elaborate apparatus and under climatic conditions ranging from tropical to polar. This speed and simplicity of production make the invention of special value from a.mi1i tary standpoint such as in map making in which the natural colors would be visible in aerially made negatives.

Such practical advantages result from the facts that no exceedingly fragile elements or expensive Vapparatus are employed and defects in the negatives do not materially aiectthe final result, that is, whether one or more of the negatives are weak and under exposed or heavy and over exposed, a satisfactory color print can be produced by the present invention due to the ease with which original negative making erro-rs may be corrected.

To the above and other ends, which will be hereinafter made clear, the invention consists 'in the features, methods, articles, chemical solutions, products and devices hereinafter described and particularly pointedout in the claims.

The invention will be more particularly described in connection with the accompanying drawings which have been made to give a pictorial representation of steps of various processes involved as well as of devices employed therein and; resultant products.

In the drawings,

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate schematically in face view a set of four color-separation negatives employed in the standard `four-color Aprocess or method of l.the invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded view showing the elements used in the preparation of a. basic or black Figures 6 to 8 illustrate steps in the production of an article hereinafter termed a backed-up blank;

Figures 9 and 9A are side elevations of the backed-up blank aforesaid and a' variation s thereof;

Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating the printing of the black negative of Figure 1;

Figures 11, 12 and 13 illustrategraphically the developing, fixing and Washing steps for the black film;

' Figure 14 is a .perspective view of the finished black film suitably backed-up and mounted;

Figures 15 through 23 relate to the production of the yellow, blue and red films which are to be superimposed on the black or gray-black films;

Figure 15 is an exploded view of the parts constituting an elementhereinafter referred to as a blank;

Figure 16 illustrates the lparts yof Figure 15 combined.

of the vterrain photographed Figure 17 illustrates the sensitized blank in perspective.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of a blank ready for use.

Figure 19 conventionally illustrates the printing of the blank, and Figures 20, 21, 22 and 23 illustrate successive steps resulting in the process of complete color films;

Figures 24, 25 and 26 illustrate complete the color films with their rigid backing removed;

Figure 27 is a face view of the gray-black film ready for reception of a color film to be superimposed;

Figure 28 is a corresponding face view of a gray-black print with a color film superimposed, the circles representing the colors conventionally;

Figure 29 is a side View of Figure 28 with a Cellophane covering applied Figure 20 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the relations of the superimposed films on the backed-up-gray-black print;

Figure A is a modified arrangement in which Cellophane sheets each bearing images in one of the colors yellow, magenta and blue with an added keyprint in black or brown are superimposed on a sheet of plain white paper Figures 39, 40 and 41 are illustrative of the processes involving color printing with red and blue films on a white backing with yellow tint;

Figures 42, 43 and 44 are illustrative of the elements used in connection with printer-proofs for color matching purposes; f

Figures 45 and 46 are illustrative of the so.

called "bi-pack feature.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1-4 illustrate respectively the black negative, the yellow negative, the red negative and the blue negative employed in the four-color process, these negatives being respectively numbered, I6, II, I2 and I3. It will be observed that these are provided each with an identifying mark at the lower left-hand corner. For the sake of simplicity the pictures taken on these negatives are indicated by circles marked respectively I6,- I5, I6 and Il, the diameters being .varied merelyA for cleamess of illustration. As to the so-called black negative I0, as has been explained, the term black" comprehends the Ivarious gradations of grays to white. 'I fhis negative will produce a print which ,will vary in shades of gray, and although the same may be hereinafter referred to as a black recording negative or print, the same shall be understood to include a negative or print in varying shades of gray.

In producing the negatives, suitable color filters for gray-black printing, yellow, red and blue printings are made use of to produce the color-separation series.

Referring now to Figure 5, this shows the elements used in the preparation of the black printing, sensitized photographic paper backed up, I3 indicating a plate of glass or other material suitable to provide a rigid mounting, I9 indicating a sheet of comparatively thick Cellophane or multiple sheets of thinner cellophane with the corner portions removed along obtuse angles Isheet I9 `is stretched thereover and cemented only on its overlapping edge portions I9a fold over and are sealed to. the back of the plate I8 (Figure 6), the steps of the operation in which the sensitized paper is handled being performed in the dark. V

Instead of using a thick or heavy sheet of Cellophane, it is often preferable to use a plurality of thinner sheets of Cellophane corresponding in number, size and thickness to the color films of Cellophane and other Cellophane sheets subsequently superimposed on the front of paper mounting, as hereinafter more fully described. These Cellophane' sheets serve to counterbalance the tendency of the paper backing to lcurl and at the same time give body to the photograph. l The unsensitized photographic backing paper is aiilxed to the combination of the rigid support'l8 and its Cellophane covering I9. This is illustrated in Figure '7, The sensitized paper 2| is soaked in water in the dark prior to being aixed (Figure 8), in order to eliminate subsequent stretching which would cause misregistration with the colored film printed subsequently applied. The build-up'as illustrated is firmly rolled or squeegeed so that it will attain its maximum stretch. The backed-up sensitized paper blank thus produced, as illustrated clearly in Figure 9 and designated as a whole by the numeral 22, is then dried in the dark and is ready for use. A print is made upon its sensitized surface by light printing through the black printing negative I9 as conventionally illustrated in Figure 10. Figures 11, 12 and 13 illustrate conventionally the respective operations of developing, fixing and washing the print, these views making it clear that these operations are carried out while the print remains attached to its backing I8, the whole build-up or combination 22 undergoing the operations aforesaid. As subsequently appears,/these operations are preferably performedsby swabbing rather than by immersion, the latter, however, rendering itself better -to graphic 'representation of the steps. When dried -in the usual forced air box, this print with associate parts designated as 22a (Figure 14) becomes ready for the next step in the process, that is, for the addition of the next color. The combination or composite element 22a is in eect a gray-toned,'black and white photograph with rigid mounting, differing only from the usual photograph 4in this respect' and in the degree of filtration used in its making which causes only the outline-shadows to be recorded, without color, the colors of course being supplied by the subsequently added series of films by the succeeding steps of the process.

Before taking up this second step certain prac tical features involved in the preceding step may be profitably adverted to' more at length. In manufacturing the backings the glass I8 or other selected supporting plate is first thoroughly cleaned. For a standard eight by ten inch picy Immerse this Cellophane the same set' of negatives.

tive.

ywiper of soft texture.

`une, the rigid support la should be nine by "-.eleven inches. The

cellophane I9, or kindredy material, is then cut to size twelve by fourteen inches, the size to Vary according to convenience. for three minutes in solution of acetic acid, from l/2% to hindering bacterial, milan aqueous 3%, for the purpose vof dew :or fungi growths.

Then center this piece o'f Cellophane I9 over the glass i8. The corners are now clipped to give an octagonal shape.v They can be clipped in advance, by definite pattern, greatly facilitating this operation.'l Press out all moisture between Cellophane covering and the rigid support, eliminating all bubbles. A margin of Cellophane will project over all sides of the rigid support. On the lower surface of this Cellophane adhesive cement should be applied, the Cellophane then turned back over the rigid support and allowed to adhere. One or moresheets, similarly applied, may be used. A -sheet of eight by ten. inch unsensitized photographiclpaper, as 20, is now cemented over the center of the support, firmly pressed to make smooth. The whole combination should now be thoroughly dried before application of the sensitized paper 2l for l use in four-color printing. There is a tendency of photographic paper to enlarge and stretchl during the ordinaryA printing, developing and lixing operations. In an ordinary paper, size eight by ten inches, the stretch often equals a fourth of an inch. This is sufcient to entirely ruin attempts at registration of color films made from In order to correct this difliculty, it was found to be necessary to insure against the stretching of paper in this color printing process, inasmuch as the grayblack print, the only one printed on paper, is the basis and support for allthe color films which are in Athemselves transparent as to base, carrying the pictures, in color, only as indicated in the separation negatives. This method, used in preparation of the finished backing 22a., protects the photographic paper from stretching after the image is placed upon-it by exposure to the nega- The effect of this method of treatment is that the paper becomes pre-stretched, eliminating further distortion of the image thereon.`

The addition ofI the sensitized paper 2i, while Vnecessary to make the backing complete, is usually inadvisable until shortly before the actual use of the combination in making the black print as support for the rest of the picture. The backing, plus the sensitized paper. is much more difficult to handle than when itis plain, and the following operation can as easily be carried out. just prior to use. The method of procedure as heretofore described, including the drying of the Cellophane and unsensitized paperon the rigid support, produces the complete backing cept for the sheet 2 I The dry backing is next taken into a photographic dark room, illuminated only by ruby light. Cement adhesive is made ready for use, a tray of pure, clean water is provided, and into this is placed, for by ten inch glossy sensitized photograph-ic paper 2i.

tory, but one with a high degree of contrast is .recommended When this paper is thoroughly A wet, its sensitized side is placed face downward on a clear, clean piece of glass. This should be exactly the same size as the paper, and the paper should be manipulated to cover the glass evenly. Surplus water should be eliminated by a rubber The cement adhesive is two minutes, a sheet of eight I' Y.

Any commercially known paper is satisfactouches only the back or non-sensitized sur'face of the photographic paper. AIf it touches the sensitized front side of the paper, it is rendered unnt for further use. The backing with sensitized paper attached (indicated at 22 in Figure 9) must be'kept in photographic darkness until needed for printing. To insure against the sensitized photographic paper curling and leaving the glass, it is advisable to cover it with a piece of wet, light quality Cellophane 2Ia, as shown in Figure '10, cementing down the edges of the Cellophane on theback ofthe mounting, but not cutting off the corners, as directed in the making of the backing. Let these corners remain rough the backing. This Will aid in taking ofi this protective covering, when the proper time comes in the progress of making color prints.

The printing operation of the black print conventionally illustrated in Figure 10 is a photographic operation carried out in an ordinary dark room, preferably on a contact printing machine of suitable type. The plate 22a (Figure 14) thus produced preferably'has the developing solulution of sodium hyposulphite for about two minutesand then washed and tested with a dilute solution of potassium permanganate. When found ready it is putin the drier.

In some cases the black key print maybe omitted, in which event the sensitized paper 2l may be replaced.` by a plain sheet of Cellophane over paper backing 42li. Alternatively, the key"y print maybe made on ellqphane instead of sensitized paper. I v f.

Referring now to the steps inthe method for producing the colored films printed` from 'the color-separation negatives il, I2l and I3 (Figures 2-4), these are printed on elements termed. blanks, the production of which is illustrated in Figures 15 to 18; Each blank comprises a plate or sheet 23 of glass orA other suitable supporting material to which is applied a thin sheet 24 of Cellophane or other transparent material properly sized and cut out, the Cellophane sheet 24 being stretched and cemented on the glass to produce the complete blank 25 (Figure 16). It

. may be stated that plain water rather than an ployed is of the thinnest non-moistureproof quality. It is stretched over the plate 2 3 while wet and after being cemented to the back thereof is allowed 'to dry. It win be understood that the4 blanks 25 are substantially identical for all the colors used. l

The dyes for each color are added to a stock solution for sensitizing the blanks to make them into color printing lms. The dye used is-prefthe back of this paper, which is l erably the azo group of acid aniline dyes in any desired color or shade of color. The sensitizing solution employed is compounded best just before using, in ordinary manufacturing usage, though these dyes may also be prepared in advance, and bottled ready for use, as an article of manufacture in connection with the process. When so bottled in advance, dye-preservative compounds must be added, but when made up for immediate use, the following formulae are correct. The amount of dye, sensitizing element of potassium dichromate or ammonium bichromate, is averaged. This may be varied according to practice, and the desire for deeper or lighter hues. One ounce of solution is generally sulcient to sensitize ve plates or blanks, in the standard eight by ten inch size. For sensitizing:

Distilled water ounce-.. 1 Citric acid crystals grains-.. 2-10 Acid dye of desired color do -60 Ammonium bichromate or potassium dichromate.- grains-- 5-60 .The density or strength of thecolor print, and

, its contrast of light and shade, is controllable by the individual operator by variations of the sensitizing solution within the limits specied. An orange dye, for instance, requires little citric acid and much less ammonium bichromate to print effectively than does a yellow dye, which requires the maximum of ammonium bichromate to print speedily. These elements are also variable in relation to the source of light to be used in printing, but the general procedure and the chemicals employed are not altered except as to proportion.

Employing small glasses or glass dishes, one for each color, the appropriate dye should be added to a suitable quantity oi' sensitizer solution in each dish, and mixed carefully in a dark room using separate glass stirring rods for the mixtures. To obtain the best practical results it is important to outline the sensitizing step some- 'what in detail. Preferably a small piece of cotton` as a swab, is immersed in the sensitizing yellow solution and rubbed quickly and evenly over the blank. the Cellophane'readlly absorbing the solution. It is then dried off and any surplus removed. Thereafter it is well to polish down the surface with a cotton swab, leaving it free from lint. Plate 25a is now color-sensitized and should be placed in the dark room drier. Being sensitive to light it must be protected until ready for printing. 'Ihe same operation is repeated for each of the other red and blue sen.- sitized dyes. It is found in practice that one ounce of solution with dye added is sufficient to sensitive from 4 to 6 sheets of nine by eleven inch size. The sensitized films may be kept in darkess for several hours without losing eciency. Bv the addition of chemical preservatives these sensitized blanks can be stored away for an indefinite time and used as desired. The blanks are thus sensitized for printing in desired colors each at a single operation.

For printing. the yellow sensitized plate 25a is associated with the appropriate color-separation yellow negative, indicated .at II, Figure 2, in a darkened room and then exposed to sunlight or carbon arc light for a time suillcient to produce a film of desired density. The printing process is conventionally illustrated in Figure 19. .Tn carrying out the printing process the yellow Anegative Il isl placed with its emulsion side in direct contact with the sensitized nlm. care being taken that they are both absolutely dry prior to contact. An ordinary contact printing frame may be employed for the purpose and exposed to light. From six,` to twelve minutes will suilice to print a negative depending on the density and light intensity. Thereafter the lm should be immersed in running water for a minute or two .and after being cut around the edges with a be given. The standard solution for developing out the color films is compounded as follows:

Water gallon'-.. 1 (128 ounces) Acetic acid, glacial (or citric acid) ounces 4 The solution for final washing out of surplus color and xation of wanted color in the nlms prior to superimposition in the print making process is identical, used as a nal "wash," as in Figure 23. This Wash should be clean solution for each film that is to be superimposed.

Inasmuch as a basic feature oi' the invention is the fact that certain mild acids employed in these formulae have a dual power of reducing the printed image on a color-sensitized Cellophane blank, as 25a, and then denitely'ilxlng this image permanently in the Cellophane it is only necessary to provide a row or rows of trays for the combined reduction and xation operations, the above specied solutions being placed therein. 'I'he printed film is placed in a succession of these trays as illustrated in Figures 2l to 23 for developing, xlng and washing.

In Figures 21 and 22 the development and xation steps are shown graphically as separate but as indicated on the drawings these steps in practice are combined into one, the mild acid solution having the dual property of developing and fixing the image in a single bath. It will be understood that the process is repeated for the red and blue lrns, the only difference being in the dyes employed. This applies equally to orange, green, purple and brown dyes. The yellow, blue and red films in completed state are illustrated in Figures 24 to 26, wherein they are designated resnectively as 26, 27 and 2B. The process provides for developing and fixing images on the lms at a single operation through the employment of a combined developing and xing solution as an immersion bath. i

By the outlined methods of dye sensitizing and of reducing and fixing the color in a single operation and thereafter combining the films. the faults resulting from so called bleeding of dyes are eliminated, the transfusion of dye from one element to another becomes harmless, they being directly in register so that the picture as a whole shows the desired colors.

Thereafter the printed lms may be placed temporarily and While in a wet state on top of each other in trial registration using a white background, enabling them to be judged for proper density and the quality of the finished print.

The subsequent steps in producing the complete picture are illustrated in Figures 27-31. The black paper print with its associate parts, herein 'designated as 22a, is first momentarily immersed being corrected by pushing placed under fiat cement indicated by the numeral 23 (Figure 27). The yellow print of film 26 is superimposed thereon while brought into correct registration therewith. It is fixed in place by pressing down as with a rubber squeegee, eliminating superfluous moisture and cement. Thereafter it is checked for minute details of registration, slight errors the film into piace, its density rendering it pliable and facilitating correct registration (Figure 28).

Next the yellow nlm 26 is covered with adhesive Aand a thin -sheet of plain, wet, uncolored Cellophane 30 placed over it andsqueegeed down into place (Figurev29). The function of the Cellophane sheet 30 is to protect the yellow film against displacement and also from losing color, but it is to be understood that the addition of the sheet 30 is optional although preferred by me. 'Ihe build-up illustrated in Figure 29 is next dried in a'heavy air current, this operation taking only six or eight minutes, and putting it in condition for the application of the red film 23 by substantiaily the identical process above outlined. After drying, the combination or build-up is ready for the blue film 21, thus completing the final picture (Figures 30 and 31). Cellophane sheets 3l and 32 corresponding to 30 are applied in the same way, to the red and blue films.l If deficient in any color, an additional film of the necessary color reduced to proper density may be applied. When thel whole combination, as illustrated in Figures and 31, is thoroughly dried, it should be removed from its rigid support plate I3 by cutting around the edges through all overlapping films and the heavy Cellophane i9 used as a backing. The composite picture readily peels off the supporting plate i8 and the result is a. nished glossy print in full natural color. It should be pressure for awhile to counteract any tendency toward curling and is then ready for mounting or framing. It will of course be understood that the order in which the various color lms are applied in the build-up is optional and a matter of vpreference or convenience., Whatever the order, the color values are not altered or affected.

. The modified arrangement shown in Figure 30A is especially desirable. In this arrangement the image-bearing thin Cellophane sheets, bearing images in yellow, magenta, blue and brown adhere closely to each other without any intervening support such as Celluloid, and are built up on one side of a sheet of plain white paper. -On the reverse side of this plain white paper are a corresponding number of thin Cellophane sheets to balance theimage-bearing sheets on the front of the paper.

. The invention has heretofore been described in connection with a standard four-color process but it is to be understoodthat its principles may be made use of in other processes. For example,

simple tri-color photography may be accomplished by using a plain sheet of unsensitized, gelatinized, glossy photographic backing paper nxed to the heavy Cellophane backing as in Figure '1. No black-gray print being required, this plain white sheet is simply used as a foundation for the yellow, red and blue films which are built up successively as in the four-color process.

Moreover, sets of three-color separation negatives may be printed in four colors, giving a much richer effect, proceeding as in the four-color process but without use of the black printing negative. In such case the blue printing negative is used in making the black print which should be superimped on on soft, instead of contrast, paper in order to make the print less black and more gray.

For another example of the applicability ofthe principlesof the invention, I will describe the method of making pseudo-color-separation negatives by what is sometimes termed bi-pack" by means of a single photographic exposure. A bipack (not illustrated) consists of two separate photographic negatives, placed one on top of the other in the plate-holder of an ordinary camera.

The first negative of the series may be an ordinary orthochromatic film. This should preferably be placed emulsion-side inward. Separating this negative from its mate in theprinting frame should be'so'me filter or arrangement of dye in lieu thereof, providing 'a filtration of light whichy` reaches the second negative, which should be of a supersensitive panchromatic type.' This ltration should be of an orange-red hue, making the second negative into what might be termed a blue-green printing negative, if it were to be used in a strictlytwo-color process in the making of transparencies or lantern slides on ordinary photographic gelatine shorts, this lbeing a well known method in color photography. The front negative, therefore, of ordinary bi-pack series may be termed the brick-red printer and the back negative element, after ltration, being called the blue-green Aprinting negative" or, for brevity, the blue-green negative." While these .are certainly not negatives, they give an'artlcial separation which by this process of treatment may be converted into a pleasing paper print, superior in value to the two-color transparency which they are intended to produce, in prior methods. 'I'his process is illustrated in Figures 32-36. Figure 32 illustrates blue-green negative la, designated by the numeral 33, and Figure 33 the brick-red negative Ila designated by the numeral 34. To obtain the best results these are employed as follows.

The negative 33 is used to make the black paper print 35 (Figure 34) which may be suitably mounted or backed in a manner shown in Figure 8. While this print 35' is still wet and on its mount it is immersed for a few minutes vin a weak aqueous solution of yellow dye to .give it a light yellow coloration. 'I'.he brick-red lm 2a designated as 36 (Figure 35) isthen printed from the negative 34 and this film 36 V the prin-t 35. Thereafter another print 31 (Figure 36) is made from the negative 33, this print being superimposed on the combined film 36 and print 35. The resultant picture has much more color value than could be obtained from ordinary bi-pack" negatives, and approximates the effect of full color printing. Y y 1 ,A

In two-color printing, red and blue negatives may be employed, these being designated respectively as 37, 33 and 39 (Figures 37 and 38). Figure 39 illustrates a, 'white backing 40 suitably mounted and tinted a Weak yellow. Figure l0r illustrates a red film 4i printed from negative 33 and Figure 41 illustrates a blue film 42 printed from negative 33 such printings being made in the general manner described in detail in connection with the four-color process. The films 4I and 42 are successively superimposed on the being applicable in rotogravure printing for magazines where the expense of threeor fourcoior work is prohibitive.

In another method of two-color printing,

truly correct color-separation' either from `bi-pacl: made negatives, or from the red and blue printing negatives of threeor fourcolor processes, the following method is successful. In this method, Figure 39 illustrates a white backing suitably mounted. Figure 40 now illustrates an orange-dyed film 4l printed from negatime 38 and Figure 41 illustrates a blue (or bluegreen) film 42 printed from negative 39, such printings being made in the general manner described in detail in connection with the fourcolor process. The films 40 and 4I are successively superimposed on the element 40, the result of this two-color process being the .production of paper prints combining excellent flesh texture and tones, being specially adaptable to rotogravure printing where the use of white paper is obligatory, and in which the effect of natural color is desired at relatively small expense. In this method the so-called orange film or print may be varied from orange to a decided orangered or esh-pink, and the blue film maybe varied, by dye-combining, from deep,b1ue to any desired tone of blue-green'or even green itself. f

In the method of ltwo-color printing described herein reference has been -made to bi-pack negatives. Even better results are to be obtained by absolutely correct color-separation negatives, where the filters are adjusted to get a maximum of color separation efliciency for two colors only. In a camera of my invention not disclosed herein, the, making of two definite separation negatives, properly marked for identification is readily accomplished. The superiority of such negatives to ordinary bi-pack is obvious.

The greatest difficulty in bi-pack photography has been in the lack of registration, that is, the fact that two elements of the bi-pack were not in complete and proper contact throughout the area to be exposed in the camera.

Figure 45 is an exploded view showing the elernents composing the improved bi-pack arrangement which I have inventedw'as part of this process. Numeral 45 represents a piece of film, this having a very'thin, pracitcally transparent, base and relatively transparent photographic emulsion, its photographing quality being orthochromatic, contrastive and therefore, extremely sensi-y tive v for printing in red. The back, or nonemulslon side of this lm, designated as 45a, is placed downwaigd.' The element 4S is a sheet of Cellophane, f o`"equally transparent very thin material, properly dyed for filtration qualities desired (e. g. red), and cemented around the edges to 45, assuring the contact of the element 41, a correspondingly cut panchromatic lm of high speed, which in turn is cemented around the edges, and placed on top of 46, care being taken that the edges of all three elements 45, 46 and 41 are in exact register.

By another method these three elements can be joined in factory manufacture, so that 45, 46 and 41 become one piece, and so handled in loading of photographic lm holders, properly designated by notchesA so that the correct side for proper filtration would be easily'identied in the dark. This would give the added advantage of complete surface contact for the three elements at all times, this being accomplished by the use of ,an all-over adhesive which would readily dissolve in water at a temperature not exceeding 60 F., the color utilized in the dyeing 'of the Cellophane filter element 46 being such that it would Wash out in ordinary water without imparting any stain to elements 45 and 41.

The method for developing this combination varies from usual photographic practice only in the prior immersion of the exposed film combination of 45, 46 and 41', designated as a whole by Figure 46, in plain water, until such time as'the elements separate, the Cellophane filter 46 being discarded, while the red-printing negative 45, now a unit, and the blue-printing negative 41. now also a separate unit, are developed, washed. xed and dried in the usual manner. The negatives so produced are printed identically as described for other pi-pack arrangements.

.Magazine printing or other press work where, in accordance with the foregoing, only two press impressions are required for the printing of pictures in an approximation of natural color, is rendered practical only with progressive printers color guides which are another feature of the present invention illustrated graphically 'in Figures 42-44. Such guides are necessary in `order to supply proofs to the printer for the purpose of color-matching with the printed product. First a backing 42 is prepared in the usual manner with gelatinized but non-sensitized paper, this being dyed to a weak yellow of even tone. VUpon this backing 42 as a basis a red film print 43 is made from a red negative. as l2 (Figure 3), and a blue lm 44 is made from a blue negative as I3 (Fig- K ure 4) this being superimposed. The tone of red used may be either magenta or true red, or a lighter red, especially mixed for the purpose which must be duplicated by the printer to obtain the same eflect. The blue may also be varied towards a brighter ormore greenish blue tone than the true blue used in the regular'fourcolor process work. With this aid progressive proofs showing the uncombined and combined colors in proper printing rotation are provided showing the shades that must be matched.

This invention has a variable aspect, which permits of an alternate method of print-making using the same elements and procedure but producing a print which while containing all the color is yet predominated by the lblack toned print (the other colors as added being more of a tinting than as actuality) that is, the black photograph remains the feature.

To produce this effect the black print is made definitely black and white, rather than gray, as is usual in the full color prints. The process is carried through in identical manner up to and including the superimposition of the yellow print. This yellow print is made somewhat stronger in tone than the usual print for superimposition. Instead of letting yellow lm remain permanently' ailixed to the black print by means of adhesive, it is brought into contact with the black prima-.squeegeed down, and allowed to remain Ain place for only about five minutes or more or less, as required to transfer most of the dye in the Cellophane to the black print. Then, after the yellow printed Cellophane has been taken away, a plain piece of moisture-resisting Cellophane is placed over the black print made upon the tion picture film.

motion picture negatives in various-combinations' moved. The blue may be similarly 'applied or a very thin blue print superimposed and cemented permanently into place, acting as a protection to the two colors already absorbed into the gelatinized surface of the black print.

This method of coloring or tinting may be applied to an ordinary black and white photograph by preparing a backing, making the black print in the usual manner and then from the same negative making a film print of esh color, composed of magenta and yellow dye mixed, in the sensitizing solution. This is superimposed andallowed to remain forsabout ve minutes when it is removed. ,The black print will have taken on a flesh tone. Now, if desired, retouch out the lips on the negative and hold vback any other desired portion when making a light blue print, which is superimposed, completing the picture.

By this method valuable color eects may be obtained from ordinary black and white negatives.

By the invention transparencencies of various sizes for advertising and display purposes may readily be made in the following manner. From the black printing negative a positive print is sensitized photographic glass as a base and upon by means of cement fromthe blue, yellow being Joined in a solid mass. Or in the alternative, a backing consisting of very heavy Cellophane may be stretched over a rigid transparent temporary support and upon this are superimposed films in two or more colors. Another sheet of Cellophane may lie-placed over the top and when dried the whole combination is removed. This may be then cemented lbetween sheets of transparent reproof material and is then ready for projection.-

A highly important use of the invention is in connection with natural color printing for mo- In such use color-separation Cellophane transparencies of color may be employed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The practical application of the n'ovel processesof the invention are varied to take account of the small negatives and printsin this e1d,i together with the mechanization of registi-lation oryimposition of colors one upon another made possible through the use of sprocket holes of the usual type in the motion picture lm Upon a motion picture perforation a combination of liquefied cellulose or approximate equivalent to Cellophane in liquid forin, to which acid dye and bichromate sensitizer have been added, is mechanically applied in a continuous strip to motion picture lm, which has already been printed with a black print, or an iron-toned blue print. Printing operations for the one color of' the dye sensitizer are carried out as heretofore outlined. Then another coat of dye sensitizer combined with' the equivaaent of liquid cenophane in another color` is added, this being carried out as many times as desired for the successione! lcolors required. fs I This sensitized dye material may be apphed over the whole nlm or so regulated as to leave bare and uncolored theV portion of the film 'on which the sound track is to run, the sound track being carried by the original positive printing. The sensitizer dye material may be applied over the bare celluloid base of ing in black and white, over the emulsion side o! the film or on the back thereof.

and red negatives, these this are superimposed andiixed yellow dye with or Awhich is dried in darkness.

v assembly with the For three-color picture positive lm production from motion picture color-separation negatives, made specifically for printing in blue, red and yellow, the following procedure is followed. From the blue printing negative a positive print in vbright true-blue tone is printed, carrying the sound track ornot, as most convenient. After this has been printed, fixed and dried, in anew operation in the dark, the equivalent to liquid Cellophane is applied to the illm, preferably on With this liquid.Cellophane, or desired form of ,cellulose or kindred substance, is mixed a combinationof dye and sensitizer with or without the addition of citric acid, as outlined in relation to still pictures in this invention. This combination, in liquid form, is applied as a smooth, even varnish to the lm,

the material applied includes a red dye. In this case the red printing negative of the color-separation series is brought into contact with printing source of light in correct correspondingpictorial motion pictures previously printed in blue color. Afterprinting, this iilmis run through a solution of acetic or citric acid, fixing and reducing the color to the desired point at one operation. The combination now resulting is a two-color lm and might be commercially used as such. The addition of another color, yellow as an example, would follow by an identical application of yellow dyed material in liquid form, comprising a like without citric acid, the operations of` printing, reducing and fixing to follow. It is also possible to carry out the same operation with the reddye material, printing but not developing, then adding the yellow dyematerial,

alternate frames in s. Celluloid or kindred base suitable for a lm holding a recordprinting from the yellow printing negative, and then reducing and xing the two'colors, red and yellow, in one single operation after which the picture is dried as a complete three-color, `full toned picture print in natural color.

This sensitizing dye combined with cellulose may also be used in an interrupted manner on motion picture flh'n, that is, instead of a continuous ribbon application it may be applied to whatever combination of color is desired. For exampl take a film in which the negative has been made with a rotating filter in front of the camera providing different separations for alternate printing frames in the negative, such as a combination of red printing andgreen printing frames, or another combina'- tion of brick-red and blue-green printing frames, or another combination of red printing, blue printing and yellow printing frames, or other desired combinations of printing colors in relation to color-separation negatives. Then 'instead of the continuous ribbon printing by mechanical means that red printing would be carried out by the stamping of dye sensitizer combined with cellulose upon one frame, leaving the sound track at the side bare, if desired, in the next frame by similar mechanical tion, blue sensitizer dye cellulose is applied, and to the third frame yellow dye sensitizer cellulose is applied, this combination being mechanically repeated again and again, to correspond to the requirements of the negative which is to be printed therefrom and thus being converted into a natural color positive film.

The three elements so put down can be printed Vin one operation from a single negative or in one printing is from practically Let us presume that base ofcellulose, sensitizer and means, but in the same opera-V two double negatives, or by multiple operations of printing but can be developed and xed in one operation no matter what colors ."'or combinations of colors are involved.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the same sensitizing material is used for sensiparticular type of dyefalthough dyes capable of dyeing from an acid medium, that is to say, acid dyes, are preferred. The dyes may be identified from Rowes Color Index, 1924 edition. Typical dyes are-Acid Sky Blue (Color Index No. 108'8), Acid Magenta (Color Index No. 692) and Phloxne (Color Index No. 774).

scribed is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 247,290, led of even date herewith.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 1. In the art of color photography, the metho of producing'a composite color photograph which comprises mounting a plurality of sheets of thin transparent regenerated cellulose material in superposed relationship on a substantially smooth f plane-surfaced rigid support with marginal portions of said transparent material overlapping margins of said support and being adhesively secured to each other and to the reverse side of said support, mounting on the outer sheet of said transparent material a sheet of uniform nontransparent light reflective material in adhesive engagement with said outermost transparent The preferred method of dyeing and sensitizing, as herein detizing each regenerated cellulose sheet regardless of whether the dyes are different.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the light reflective material is a white unsensitized paper.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the light reflective material is a sensitized paper bearing a key print image of the object in one of the colors black and brown.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the light reilective material is colored yellow and only two colored image bearing sheets are superposed thereon bearing images colored in shades of orange to red and blue to green, respectively.

9. A method of photographic color vprinting which `comprises the steps of preparing a plurality of color separation negatives of differing color selectivities, preparing a plurality of vsubstantially transparent non-moistureproof regenerated cellulose illms suitably stretched, applying to the surfaces thereof solutions of acid azo dyes corresponding to the positive printing color of the color separation negatives, each of said solutions containing a soluble bichromate sensitizing material,v arranging the sensitized regenerated cellulose sheets in proper relationship for printing with their associate color separation negatives, then exposing to light so as to print from the negatives on the prepared surfaces of said lms, removing the regenerated cellulose sheet, separately preparing a series of singlemounted transparent regenerated cellulose sheets by mounting a series of thin water previous wetted and expanded regenerated cellulose sheets on separate plane-surface supports with marginal portions of each of 4said sheets adhesively secured to the reverse side of each of said supports, sensitizing and coloring each of said single mounted sheets by applying to the surface o! each a combined solution of a dye and a sensitizing material,

. each dye being of a diierent color value corresponding to van appropriate color separation negative, drying the resultant sensitized blanks,-

printing on each of said blanks from an appropriate color separation negative, subjecting each blank to a combined developing and fixing operation in a mild acid bath and contemporaneously removing eachA colored part-image bearing regenerated cellulosic sheet from its respective support, mounting said image bearing sheets 'in register while still wet in superposed relationship on said light reflective material, drying the comfposite picture thoroughly, and removing the support from the resultant composite picture. f-

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the `number of sheets of transparent material on one side of the light reectiv'e material corresponds to the number of sheets. of transparent and image bearing sheets on the opposite side. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the image bearing sheets are mounted in regisillrns and immersing them in a dilute acid solution adapted to simultaneously develop and fix the image and dye in each sheet, and finally superimposing said sheets one upon another.

10. In the art of color photography, the steps which comprise applying to a regeneratedcellulose film an aqueous solution of an acid aniline azo dye and a bichromate sensitizing material to produce a sensitized regenerated cellulose iilm containing a dye, printing an image thereon from a complemental color separation negative and then applying thereto a combined reducing and fixing bath comprising a dilute acid solution adapted to simultaneously develop the image and x the dye.

11. In the art of color photography, the steps which comprise simultaneously sensitizingv and dyeing a regenerated cellulose sheet with a solution of an acid aniline azo dye and a bichromate sensitizing material, printing an image thereon from a color separation negative and then applying thereto a combined developing and fixing'bath comprising dilute acetic acid 'whereby the image and dye are permanently developed and fixed at a single operation.

12. In the art of color photography, the steps which comprise simultaneously sensitizing and dyeing a regenerated cellulose sheet with a solution of an acid aniline azo dye and a bichromate sensitizing material, printing an image thereon from a color separation negative and then applying thereto a combined developing and xing bath comprising dilute citric acid whereby the image and dye are permanently developed and ilxed at a single operation.

13. In the art of color photography, the step lose sheet material an aqueous solution of an intimate mixture of an acid aniline azo dye and a bichromate sensitizing material.

15. In the art of color photography, the step which comprises sensitizing and dyeing a regenerated cellulosic sheet material by applying thereto a solution of a mild acid, an acid dye and a dichromate sensitizing material, the relative proportions of said materials by weight corresponding to about 2 to 10 parts 'of acid, about 10 to 60 parts of dye and aboutI 5 to 60 parts of dichromate. V

16. In 'the art of color photography, the steps which comprise simultaneously sensitizing and dyeing a regenerated cellulosic sheet material by 4applying thereto a solution of an acid dye and a. water-soluble chromate sensitizing material in the presence of an acid, drying, printing an image thereon froml a complemental color separation negative, and -then applying thereto a combined reducing and xing bath comprising a dilute acid solution adapted .to simultaneously fix the dye and develop the image.

17. In the art of color photography, the steps which comprise wetting and expanding a regenerated cellulosic sheet material, and applying to the wet and expanded sheet a solution of a soluble chromate sensitizing material and an acid dye.

18. In the art of color photography, the step which comprises sensitizing and dyeing a regenerated cellulosic sheet material by simultaneously applying thereto a soluble ch'romate sensitizing material and an acid dye, said chromate and said dye being applied in solution.

EDWIN BOWER HESSER..

GERTIFICATE OF CORREC'II ON intent No'. 2,2l.1,).p02.l may. 15,-19LL1.

. EDWIN BONER BESSER. It is hereby oertified that error appears in the pri'nte'dspeoifiostion ofthe above nmnbered'pa-tent requiring -correotion as follows; Page 2, first column, line 20, for Figure 20" read --Figure 50 and second column, line 15, after dl9;\ inser1: -which; page 6, first column, lines anl?, for negatimef' read negative-q page 8, first column, line )4.1, claim l, for "previous" read A-perviousq` and thatthe said Letters Patent should be reed with this correction therein that the same muy conform to the record' of: the casethe Platen't `Office.

Signedjfandsealedthis 17th dey of June A. D.

kHenry 'Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.- 

